Red wine allergy: what helps with histamine intolerance

If you feel uncomfortable after a glass of red wine, you may be allergic to red wine. In this article we show you which ingredients cause health problems. You will also learn how to avoid them.

Red wine allergy - histamine is not always the cause

There are several reasons why you can't tolerate red wine.

• If you suffer from histamine intolerance, the consumption of red wine can cause symptoms typical of an intolerance, such as a rash, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Histamine is more contained in red wine than in white wine.
• The term red wine allergy doesn't really fit here. With an allergy, the immune system reacts to a substance. In the case of intolerance, for example histamine intolerance, the immune system is not involved. Then the body only lacks certain enzymes to break down or absorb histamine.
• The sulfites in red wine are usually responsible for a real red wine allergy. In addition to stomach and intestinal problems, breathing difficulties and, of course, skin reactions can also occur. A cough is particularly typical of a sulfite allergy.
• Tip: If you suffer from these symptoms, you should look at the ingredients of the respective wine. These must always be identified - possibly on a small label on the back.
• If you can't tolerate the tannins in the red wine, you'll notice that pretty quickly. Because then you usually get a headache after enjoying red wine.
• By the way, other ingredients in red wine can also be responsible for an allergic reaction. For example, some wines are clarified with chicken egg white or protein from fish bubbles.
• The residues of such substances can also cause an allergic reaction. However, these ingredients must be noted on the label. A look at it is always worthwhile. The note has been mandatory since 2005.

How to deal with a red wine allergy

If you cannot tolerate red wine, you usually only have to do without.

• If you are currently acutely allergic to red wine, for example with shortness of breath or other serious symptoms, you should consult a doctor. At worst, any allergic reaction can expand to a life-threatening state with shock.
• Those who cannot tolerate red wine due to a histamine intolerance can switch to white wine.
• As already mentioned, a look at the label of the wine bottle is worthwhile. If all traces or other allergy-causing ingredients are noted here, this wine is unsuitable for you.
• If you get a grumbling head after enjoying red wine, this is mostly due to the tannins that you cannot tolerate. Try a wine with less tannins here.

In our next post, we'll look at nut allergy. We show the causes, symptoms and treatment.